Where to stay in Fes [Best Places to Stay for 2024]

A visit to Morocco’s cultural capital can be overwhelming to plan, especially for first-time visitors. After Casablanca, Fes Morocco is the second largest city with nearly 1.5 million residents and an estimated 9,500 streets winding in and around the old medina.

This vibrant city, located in the Boulemane Region of Morocco, has a beautiful mix of French and Moroccan influences.

Using our guide to the best neighborhoods in Fes, we can help you find the best part of Fes to stay in, whether you are looking for budget accommodations or a luxury splurge on a traditional Moroccan Riad. Are you ready to plan your weekend in Fes?

We will cover off all types of Fes accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Fes hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Fez Morocco 2024, the best Fes hotels

This guide shows off the best places in Fes to visit, the best places to stay in Fes, hotels near Fes attractions, Fes neighborhood guide and many more. 

Below are 16 of the best neighbourhoods in Fes to help you make the right decision when trying to work out best areas to stay in Fes for you. We have tried to make the guide as easy to follow as possible.

We have also included some things to do or places to visit as well as some eatery suggestions of either our favourite places or some funky places to eat at within the areas in Fes so you can use this as a go to guide.

Fes El-Bali (Old Fes) – Where to stay in Fes for everyone

Old Fes is the city’s historical center, where the medina is located. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest car-free urban area in the world and the best area for tourists who want to experience the chaos of a Moroccan medina.

If you plan to stay in a riad in Fes, there are many in Fes El-Bali, from budget-friendly to family-friendly, with luxury options as well. This is best area to stay in Fes Morocco for everyone, due to its central location.

Some of the best attractions in the medina start at the Blue Gate or Bab Boujeloud. Within the thousands of winding streets and alleyways, you’ll find mosques, tanneries and of course hundreds of shops selling everything you can possibly imagine.

While non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosques, there are a couple of medersas that you can visit for a taste of the local architecture. It’s worth noting that many cafes and souks here are closed on Fridays, so that’s a good day to plan your day trips or visit a local hammam.

Best places to stay in Old Fes

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Old Fes

• Dar Elinor
• Funky Fes
• Moroccan Dream Hostel
• BackHome Fez

Budget accommodation in Old Fes

• Riad Baba
• Riad Dar Tahrya
• Dar Layali Fez
• Riad Dar Omar

Mid range accommodation in Old Fes

• Riad Semlalia
• Riad Norma
• Palais Shazam & SPA
• Riad Marjana suites & Spa

Family Friendly accommodation in Old Fes

• Riad Le Moucharabieh
• Riad Zamane & Spa Fès
• Riad Sidrat Fes
• Riad Alassala Fes

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Old Fes

• Riad Rcif Alif Suite & SPA
• Le Riad Palais d’hotes Suites & Spa Fes
• Riad Rcif & Spa Originale
• Palais Faraj Suites & Spa

Fes El Jdid (New Fes) – Where to stay in Fes for tourists

Just beyond the Blue Gate of Fes El-Bali is “New Fes,” or Fel El Jdid. Remember, it’s only new compared to Old Fes, so it’s a few hundred years old as opposed to thousands of years old.

In other words, there is still al of history in Fes El Jdid but it is not nearly as busy as Fel El Bali.

This area contains the Jewish Quarter and the Jnan Sbil gardens, a lovely quiet place to spend an afternoon. The Batha Museum is located here, in a former royal palace.

The location of Fes El Jdid between Fes El-Bali and Ville Nouvelle means you can conveniently experience the best of both worlds in Fes, with easy access to the historic and modern parts of the city.

Best places to stay in New Fes

Budget accommodation in New Fes

• Riad de Charme
• MAISON DU KERMA

Mid range accommodation in New Fes

• BATHA Modern Riad

Family Friendly accommodation in New Fes

• Riad bel kayed
• Palais Riad Reda
• Hôtel Glacier

Ville Nouvelle – Where to stay in Fes for nightlife

Ville Nouvelle, or the new city, was built by the French in the early 20th century and is the most modern area of Fes. If you prefer more modern Fes hotels than the riads of the medina, then this is a good place for you to stay.

You can easily take a taxi to the medina for the day, and relax in modern comfort at night, with a wider variety of cuisines and shopping, plus the aforementioned modern hotels.

For shopping, the modern, air-conditioned Borj Fez mall, it offers global brands. If you are looking for nightlife in Fes, there are a few clubs to be found in Ville Nouvelle.

Best places to stay in Ville Nouvelle

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Ville Nouvelle

• Youth Hostel International Fez

Budget accommodation in Ville Nouvelle

• Amor Hotel
• Hôtel Olympic
• Zahrat Al Jabal
• Ibis Fes

Mid range accommodation in Ville Nouvelle

• Hôtel Royal Urban Concept
• Barceló Fès Medina
• Royal Mirage Fes Hotel
• Menzeh Zalagh City Center

Family Friendly accommodation in Ville Nouvelle

• Hôtel Volubilis
• Hôtel Atlas Saiss Fès
• Riad Dar Ziryab
• Nour Plazza Hotel

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Ville Nouvelle

• Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace
• Hotel Sahrai
• Palais Medina & Spa

Meknes – Where to stay near Fes

If you really want to get off the beaten path and perhaps just visit Fes on a day trip, consider staying in Meknes, about one hour outside of Fes.

Meknes was once the capital city in the 17th century, so there is a lot of history to explore without the chaos of Fes. There are several mosques that non-Muslims will have to admire from afar, but Bou Inania Madrasa is open to everyone.

Like other Moroccan cities, the old part of Meknes is a walled city with elaborate gates enclosing the medina. Bab Mansour is one of the most elaborate and beautiful gates in all of Morocco, and Bab el Khemis is another great example.

When you want to take a day trip to Fes, there is a train and private taxis are an affordable option.

Best places to stay in Meknes

Budget accommodation in Meknes

• Hotel beaux arts
• Hotel Akouas
• Riad Idrissi
• Riad Dar Pa Labzioui

Mid range accommodation in Meknes

• Riad Mehdi Meknès
• Riad Safir
• Riad Golf Stinia
• Château Roslane Boutique hôtel & Spa

Family Friendly accommodation in Meknes

• Riad Yamcha
• Riad Zahraa Al Ismailia
• Hôtel Belle Vue et Spa
• Dar Meknes Tresor

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Meknes

• HOTEL BELLE VUE MEKNES

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